Allusions in The Alchemist

Question 1

Allah

Answer 1

name of the God in the Islamic religion

Question 2

Elias

Answer 2

Hebrew prophet who stressed monotheism, one of the 4 alchemists who pursued his Personal Legend and turned metal into gold

Question 3

Elixir of Life

Answer 3

a magical potion that promising immortality

Question 4

Emerald Tablet

Answer 4

basis for alchemy, explains how to make the Master Work

Question 5

Esperanto

Answer 5

international, neutral, auxiliary language used to help people between different nations communicate effectively

Question 6

Fulcanelli

Answer 6

a French master alchemist, one of the 4 alchemists who turned metal into gold and achieved his Personal Legend, obtained the Master Work

Question 7

Geber

Answer 7

a famous Spanish alchemist who also discovered acids, one of the 4 alchemists who turned metal into gold and achieved his Personal Legend

Question 8

Helvetius

Answer 8

a French philosopher and philanthropist who contributed greatly to the Enlightenment, one of the 4 alchemists who turned metal into gold and achieved his Personal Legend

Question 9

Hookah

Answer 9

eastern water pipe that draws flavored smoke (shisha) through water basin

Question 10

King Melchizedek

Answer 10

biblical figure that has strong associations with alchemy, High Priest who blessed Abraham

Question 11

Koran

Answer 11

main religious text of Islam

Question 12

Language of the World

Answer 12

universal communication sent by the Soul of the World used to help discover a person’s Personal Legend, communicates through omens and dreams

Question 13

Levanter

Answer 13

powerful wind

Question 14

Maktub

Answer 14

“It is written” in Arabic

Question 15

Master Work

Answer 15

Elixir of Life and Philosopher’s Stone

Question 16

Moors

Answer 16

Islamic people who conquered southern Spain (first conquered Tarifa)

Question 17

Muslim

Answer 17

religious group that practices Islam

Question 18

Narcissus

Answer 18

Greek mythological figure that fell in love with his own reflection

Question 19

Personal Legend

Answer 19

something one has always wanted to accomplish, duty to fulfill on earth

Question 20

Philosopher’s Stone

Answer 20

a stone with healing properties and can turn any material into gold, solid portion of the Master Work

Question 21

Principal of Favorability

Answer 21

beginner’s luck, entire universe conspires to help one out

Question 22

Simum

Answer 22

dry, strong sandstorm that destroys everything in its path

Question 23

The Soul of the World

Answer 23

an invisible thread the connects all living things

Question 24

Tiberius

Answer 24

a Roman emperor who ruled from 14 AD to 37 AD, stepson of Octavian, two sons (soldier- words remembered, poet)

Question 25

The Unspoken Language

Answer 25

a universal language not dependent on words that every living thing understands

Question 26

Urim and Thummim

Answer 26

two stones that respond to omens, symbolize light and perfection

Question 27

Al-Fayoum

Answer 27

an lush and fertile oasis in Egypt south of Cairo

Question 28

Andalusia

Answer 28

area in southern Spain between Portugal and Mediterranean coast of Almería

Question 29

Ceuta

Answer 29

city of northern tip of Africa owned by Spain, where crystal merchant’s shop was

Question 30

Coptic Monastery

Answer 30

a Coptic church in Egypt that follows the beliefs of Christianity with the added culture influence of Egypt